The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has arrested five individuals linked to the brutal murder of Molo activist Richard Otieno.
In a statement on Monday, February 3, DCI said the suspects include both direct perpetrators and individuals who aided in the crime.
According to the investigating agency, the primary suspects are Geoffrey Mavado, John Ndegwa, and Jorim Ngonga Sura.
The two remaining suspects, Clinton Simantu alias Muiruri and Peter Mwaniki alias Pinchez, are bodaboda operators who allegedly transported the hitmen.
"The suspects are prime suspects Geoffrey Mavado, John Ndegwa, and Jorim Ngonga Sura, believed to have been directly involved in the brutal killing. The other two; Clinton Simantu alias Muiruri and Peter Mwaniki alias Pinchez are bodaboda operators who have been identified as the persons who ferried the hitmen to and from the scene of crime," the statement read.
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DCI noted that this was not the first time Mavado and Ndegwa have been connected to Otieno as they were on November 8, 2024, arrested and charged for assaulting him.
"Earlier on November 8, 2024, Geoffrey Mavado and John Ndegwa had been arrested and charged for assaulting the deceased and were sentenced to a one-year probation. In the course of the homicide probe, the two were forensically placed at the scene of crime, and crucial evidence has been collected to aid their prosecution," the statement added.
DCI said all five suspects are in custody as the investigation continues.
"All the suspects have been taken to custody and are being processed for arraignment. Meanwhile, the investigators drawn from the Homicide Directorate, Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau and Operations are interrogating the case further with a view to bring any more suspects to book," the statement concluded.
Otieno was brutally killed on January 18, 2025.
An autopsy conducted on Otieno's body by Government Pathologist Dr. Johansen Oduor confirmed that he died from severe head injuries caused by a sharp object.
"The late Richard had several severe injuries; there were multiple slash wounds on the back of the head which led to fracture of the skull and extensive bleeding of the brain. There were also some slash wounds on the frontal area of the skull though this one did not fracture the skull and there were also bruises on the face," he said.
Oduor also noted that the examination revealed evidence suggesting that Otieno attempted to defend himself during the attack.
"We also found more bruises on the arm which looked like he was trying to defend himself. From these findings we can say that the late Richard died as a result of severe head injuries which were caused by a sharp object which could either be a panga or an axe used severally on the head," he added.
